Sole-leveling machine.



A. BATES & J. GOULDBOURN.

sou: LEVELING mama.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY20,.1910. 1,123,219 Patented Jan.5,1915.

2 SHEETSSHEET 1.

M a I Mix; amen/1444 THE NORRIS PETERS CO.. PHOTD-LLTHQ. WAsHINGTflN D. c.

A. BATES & J. GOULDBOURN.

SOLE LEVELING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 20, 1910 1,123,219, Patented Jan.5, 1915.

2 SHEBTSSHBET 2.

M TA/ESSELSY NORRIS PErERs C0. PHOTO-IJTHOU WASHINGTON n t UNTTED STATES PATENT UEETQEQ.

ARTHUR, BATES AND JOSEPH GOULDBOURN, OE LEICESTER, ENGLAND, ASSIGNGRS TO UNITED SHOE LIACHINERY COMPANY, OF PATEBJSON, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORA- TION OF NEW JERSEY.

Application filed May 20, 1910.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that we, ARTHUR BATES and Josnrn: GOULDBOURN, subjects of the King of England, residing at Leicester, Leicestershire, England, have invented certain Improvements in Sole-Leveling and like Machines, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like reference characters on the drawings indicating like parts in the several figures.

This invention relates to machines for leveling the soles of boots and shoes, or for reforming or otherwise operating upon turn and other shoes.

An important feature of the invention consists in providing, in connection with a rotary reforming or leveling tool, an improved means for cleansing and moistening the working face of the tool in order that the same may operate to consolidate, shape,

,and smooth out the surface of the sole or other part of the shoe in a very superior manner. In its preferred form the means referred to comprises a porous felt or other suitable pad which is held in engagement with the tool, said tool being in the present instance shown in the form of a powerdriven roll. Preferably, also, such pad is supplied with moisture from a suitable source, as for example, a reservoir located adjacent to the pad. By maintaining the surface of the roll free from all foreign matter and in a slightly moist condition the roll may be caused to apply a very heavy pressure to the sole of a shoe to consolidate the bottom and produce a clean and burnished surface thereon. The roll is usually shaped appropriately to agree with the sole or other part to be treated thereby, and the roll cleansing and moistening device is preferably shaped to conform to the working face of the roll in order to engage and thoroughly clean and moisten every part of such face.

Another important feature of the invention comprises an improved arrangement of connections between the main power shaft of the machine and the finishing roll which is driven from said shaft, to permit the roll to be moved bodily in a plane longitudinally of the shoe being operated upon and also in a plane transversely thereof, while in operation. In the preferred form, as herein illustrated, such connections are embodied Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 5, 1915.

Serial No. 562,511.

in a two-part gear case, one portion of which turns freely about the main shaft and carries a second shaft arranged at right angles to the main shaft, and on which turns an idler worm gear in meshing engagement with a worm gear on said main shaft. The other portion of the gear case moves about the shaft carrying the idler gear and carrles a bearing for an extensile transmission shaft having connection with the roll, said shaft being also arranged at an angle to the main power shaft, and carrying a worm gear which meshes with the idler worm gear in the gear case. By this construction the transmission shaft, and hence the finishing roll which is carried thereby, may be swung about the axis of the main shaft or about the axis of the shaft carrying the idler gear without disturbing the driving connections between the power shaft and said roll, thus permitting the roll while in operation to be shifted along the shoe bottom and also to be shifted transversely thereof.

Another feature of the invention consists in an improved arrangement of connections between the transmission shaft, before mentioned, and the roll which constitutes in effect a jointed linkage. The connections referred to are so organized as to permit the roll to be manipulated by the operator in a manner to swing or tilt in a vertical plane transversely of the shoe bottom being operated upon, or to swing in a horizontal plane thereto, about axes located laterally to one side of the shoe. The result of these capacities for operation is that the surface of the roll may be inclined in either direction to the horizontal plane of the shoe bottom, or may be presented at varying inclinations to the longitudinal median line of the shoe in order to effectually act upon all portions of the bottom and to shape the same. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the roll near one end carries a bevel pinion which meshes with a bevel idler gear turning on a shaft carried by a gear case, the gear case having a sleeved extension to form a bearing for the transmission shaft, before referred to. The transmission shaft carries a bevel pinion which meshes with the idler gear, and the roll is adapted to swing about the shaft of the idler gear as a center, or about the axis of the transmission shaft as a center, said centers being arranged at right angles to each other so that the described therefrom. When the tool is not in use it is sustained by the support and-its weight serves to hold the belt on a loose pulley against the tension of a spring which acts with a normal tendency to shift the belt on to a tight pulley. When the tool is removed from' the support preparatoryto its operation upon a shoe, the spring acts to 7 shift the belt on to the tight pulley, thereby connecting the roll with its source of power. Other features of the'mvention, lncludmg important detalls of constructlon and combinations of parts, will be hereinafter more particularly described and claimed.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a view in front elevation, partly in section, of a machine embodying the present invention; and Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the machine on a somewhat enlarged scale;

The frame 1 of the machine carries at its upper end an adjustable shoe support 3 of any desired construction. A main power shaft 5 is supported for rotation in bearings 7, and 9, carried by the base portion of the frame and is provided with a loose pulley 13, and a fast pulley 11 to receive a belt for conveying power to the machine from any suitable source. A rod 7 5 slides in bearings carried by the frame and supports a suitable belt'shifter 15, the rod being surrounded by a spring 17 which is confined between a pin or projection on the rod and a bracket 77, and acts with a normal tendency to move the belt shifter to position for holding the belt on the fast pulley.

A beating out or leveling roll 19 is mounted for rotation in a frame 21, and is preferably provided with handles 23, 25, for convenient use by the operator in moving the roll over different portions of the shoe bottom, or other parts being treated, in leveling a shoe sole, reforming a turn shoe, or performing similar operations. The

7 frame 21 is shown as supporting acleansing pad 31 which is preferably of some absorbent material, as for instance felt, and is shaped to'fit the periphery of the roll and is held closely thereto so as to be'in position to thoroughly cleanse the surface of the roll duringits operation. A reservoir 27, which is herein shown as carried by the frame 21, serves as a convenient means for supplying a liquid to the pad for moistening the surface of the roll as it rotates while in contact therewith, in order to facilitate the cleansing of the roll as well as to improve the finish imparted by the roll to the shoe sole,

or other part being operated upon. It has shaft carrying at one end a bevel pinion which meshes with an idler bevel gear 37 freely rotatable on a shaft 43 carried by a gear case 10. The hub of the pinion passes through a clearance slot in the gear case which lies'parallel to the plane in which the idler gear is situated. This slot permits the roll to be oscillated about the shaft 43 for positioning the roll to cause different portions of its surface to act upon successive areas of the sole in a direction transverse to the median line. The gear case -10 has a sleeved extension 41 which forms a bearing for the upper member 45 of an eXtensile transmission shaft which carries a bevel pinion 39 located in the gear case and meshing with the idler gear 37.

The member 45 is confined in position by a hub on the bevel gear 89, and a collar 49, which is fast to said member. The shaft member 45 is shown as telescoping with a shaft member 17 which is rotatable in the sleeved extension of the upper part 61 of a two-part gear case and carries at its lower end a worm gear 51. which meshes with an idler worm gear 53, turning freely on a 'l shaft in the lower part 59 of the gear case. The upper part of the gear case is supported for turning movements about the shaft 55, and the lower part of the gear case turns freely about the driving shaft From this arrangement it follows that the extensile shaft and roll are capable of swinging in a plane perpendicular to the sole of a shoe which is supported on the jack to permit the roll to be moved over the shoe in a longitudinal direction, and said parts are also capable of swinging in a plane transverse to the first mentioned plane to permit the roll to be shifted in a direction laterally of the shoe.

A bracket 66 extends frompthe machine frame, and pivotally supported thereby is a bell-cranklever, whose upper arm carries a support 63 which is adapted to receive and sustain the roll-carryingframe 21,while' the lower arm 67 engages one arm 69 of a second bell-crank lever, which is pivoted to the frame at 73, and has its other arm 71 in loose connection with an end of the rod 75 of the belt-shifter 15.

When the roll rests upon the support 63 the weight of the roll and its associated parts is sufficient to overcome the force of the spring 17 and hold the belt-shifter in position to maintain the belt on the loose pulley; when, however, the roll is lifted from its support preparatory to its operation upon a shoe the spring will react and effect a shifting of the belt to the tight pulley, and, through the described connections, power will thus be applied to the roll to rotate it. In the operation of leveling or of reforming a shoe, the workman grasps the handles 23 and 25 and moves the roll over the shoe which is supported on the jack, the geared connections between the driving shaft and the extensile shaft i5, i7, being such that the roll may be moved along the shoe bottom in longitudinal and transverse directions, while the geared connections between the extensile shaft and the roll permit the roll to be tilted vertically or to be moved laterally, about the shafts 43 and 45, in order to apply the roll successively to every portion of the surface to be treated.

It will be seen that as the reservoir for supplying the moistening liquid to the roll cleansing pad is carried by the movable frame which supports the roll, said parts are self-contained and the liquid is always at hand to maintain the roll in a moistened condition as it is moved over different por tions of the shoe bottom. This arrangement obviates the necessity of the usual objectionable pipe connections, which would be required if the reservoir were located at a fixed point more or less remote from the roll and its cleansing pad.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is l. A machine of the class described having, in combination, a rotary tool supported for movements over a shoe sole and shaped to level and burnish the bottom of the shoe sole, means for driving the tool about its own axis while it is being moved over the shoe sole, a cleansing pad arranged in contact with the surface of the tool and adapted to apply moisture to the tool and means for supporting the shoe for the leveling and burnishin operation of the tool, said machine having provision for relative tilting movements of the shoe and tool transversely of the shoe while the driven tool is being moved over the shoe sole.

2. A machine of the class described having, in combination, a rotary leveling and burnishing tool supported for movements over a shoe sole and appropriately shaped for acting on the bottom thereof, a pad of absorbent material arranged in contact with the surface of the tool and adapted to apply moisture to the tool, means for driving the tool about its own axis while it is being moved over the shoe sole to work the moisture into the sole during the operation of leveling and burnishing the sole and means for supporting the shoe for the leveling and burnishing operation of the tool, said machine having provision for relative tilting movements of the shoe and tool transversely of the shoe while the driven tool is being moved over the sole.

3. A machine of the class described hav ing, in combination, a rotary tool movable over the work for acting on different portions thereof, an absorbent pad supported for movement with the tool, a reservoir also movable with the tool and arranged to supply moisture to the pad, and means for actuating the tool to work the moisture into the sole to level and burnish the surface thereof.

a. A machine of the class described having, in combination, a driving shaft, a second shaft to be driven thereby, a rotary tool connected with said second shaft, and geared connections between said shafts constructed and arranged to permit the tool to swing in transverse planes for movements longitudinally and laterally of a shoe bottom.

A machine of the class described having, in combination, a driving shaft, a second shaft to be driven thereby, rotary tool connected with said second shaft, and gears connecting said shafts having crossed axes about which said tool is arranged to swing to permit it to move longitudinally and lat erally of a shoe bottom.

6. A machine of the class described having, in combination, a driving shaft, an extensile transmission shaft, a rotary tool operatively connected therewith, and connections between said shafts constructed and arranged to permit the tool to swing in transverse planes for movements longitudina-lly and laterally of a shoe bottom.

7. A machine of the class described having, in combination, a driving shaft, an extensile transmission shaft, a rotary tool operatively connected therewith, and gears connecting said shafts having crossed axes about which the tool is arranged to swing to permit it to move longitudinally and laterally of a shoe bottom.

8. A machine of the class described having, in combination, a rotary tool, driving devices therefor including a shaft, and geared connections between said tool and shaft arranged to permit tilting movements of the tool to vary its angular relation with the plane of the sole of a shoe and to also permit horizontal movements of the tool to l its angular relation with the plane of the sole of a shoe and to also permit horizonvary its angular relation to the median line of 'the "sole.

1 9. "shoe leveling :machine having, in combination, a rotary leveling tool, driving devices therefor including a shaft, and geared connections between said tool and shaft constructed, and arranged to permit universal movement of the tool about a point laterally removed from the work.

10. A machine of the class described having, in combination, arotary tool, driving devices therefor including an extensile shaft, and geared connections between said tool andshaft constructed and arranged to permit tilting movements of the tool to vary 'tal movements of'th'e tool to vary its angular relation with the median line of the sole. 11. A shoe leveling machine having, in

combination, a rotary smoothing tool having 'a peripheral working face, handles by which it may be manually tilted upwardly and downwardly and forwardly and backwardly to act successively upon diflerent parts of a shoe bottom, means for driving said tool while permitting such manual movements comprising a shaft provided with a pinion, a gear casing, an idler shaft supported by said casing at an angle to the tool shaft, an idler gear arranged to turn on said idler shaft and meshing with said pinion and a transmission shaft turning in said casing and provided with apinion in'mesh with said idler gear, the parts being arranged to permit swinging movement of the 7 tool aboutsaid idler gear shaft and also 13. A machine of'the class described having, in combination,a tool, a driving shaft and connections for operating the tool, fast and loose pulleys on said shaft, a belt f shifter, a tool support connected therewith and arranged to move the belt onto the loose copies ot thlspatent may be obtained for pulley automatically when the tool is placed on the support, and means to move the belt onto the fast pulley automatically when the tool is removed from said support.

14. A machine of the class described having, in combination, a rotary tool, a driving shaft carrying fast and loose pulleys, connections between said shaft and tool, a beltshifter provided with yielding means to hold a belt on the fast pulley, a tool support, and connections between saidvsupport and belt shifter operated by gravity to move the belt onto the loose pulley when the tool is placed on said support.

15. In combination, a leveling and burnishing roll provided with a handle for use in moving the roll to treat differentportions of the shoe bottom, a pad of absorbent material shaped to fit the periphery of the roll and held closely thereto, and a reservoir adjacent to the pad and arranged to supply moisture thereto for moistening the surface of the roll to facilitate the leveling and burnishing action of the roll upon the surface of the sole.

16IIn a machine of the class described, a leveling and burnishing roll provided with handles for use in movingthe roll to treat different portions of the sole of a shoe, a

frame in which the roll is mounted, a pad of absorbent material supported by said frame, said pad being shaped to fit the periphery of the roll and held closely thereto,

a reservoir carried by the frame adjacent to the vpad and arranged to supply material thereto for application to the surface of the roll to facilitate the leveling and burnishing action of the roll upon the surface of the sole, and driving means for the roll including means operating to sustain partially the weight of said roll and of its frame and the associated reservoir during the use of the roll, while permitting substantially free manipulation of said roll by the operator over the sole ofthe shoe.

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ARTHUR BATES. JOSEPH GOULDBOURN.

lVitnesses ELEANOR PYWELL, KATHERINE PnX'roN. 

